m16a4 build need help

I am looking to build an m16a4 clone. It is my first one and I don't know what receivers are good which ones aren't etc.
I have been looking at many different ones. I am also looking for the upper and lower receiver to match in color and want a non glossy tone.
Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

You're covering a lot of ground there with that statement. By M16A4 I presume you mean a semi-automatic AR-15 and not the fully automatic M16 the military uses. The M16's are over $10,000 and require a considerable amount of BATF paperwork to obtain.

Assuming you mean an AR-15, lets start with what is your budget? We also might need to know what is your level of firearms experience and what do you see as the primary use for this new AR (ie; hunting, target shooting, bench competition or just general SHTF)??? Also, do you want to build it completely from parts or just buy a complete halfs for assembly to make a complete weapon?

There are currently over 140 different manufacturers and distributors of AR's in the U.S., some good, some bad and everyone has their idea of which one is best for their needs. Pretty much like how everybody has their own favorite brand of automobile. Much of what you will find is that your AR choice will be budget driven and need driven.

Thank you for the answer and yes I mean ar-15 rifle. I plan on building the kit from ground up. The main purpose would be for my military collection and just general shooting fun. I already have a ruger 556 and wanted to add the marine corps clone. I have been doing minor work like stock replacements and complete dissasemble of various rifles since I was twelve or so I am currently 18 so budget is not large

Thank you for the answer and yes I mean ar-15 rifle. I plan on building the kit from ground up. The main purpose would be for my military collection and just general shooting fun. I already have a ruger 556 and wanted to add the marine corps clone. I have been doing minor work like stock replacements and complete dissasemble of various rifles since I was twelve or so I am currently 18 so budget is not large

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Here is a complete AR Kit that has everything you need sans the stripped lower. The stripped lower can be obtained through a local licensed gun dealer for about $100-150 out the door or from online sources with a transfer fee required through your local gun dealer for slightly less.

DPMS isn't the best brand ever, but it is a good place to start a first-time build for not a huge sum of money. There are probably other brands that have complete kits like this too. Buying-out all the parts separately is possible for your assembly, but much more involved.

Buy the upper and lower recievers from the same maker to be sure they match.
If you want to build one, make sure you get a good barrel wrench and action block. They make installing a barrel easy.

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if the uppers and lowers are mil-spec manufactured, they will work together regardless of maker. many people use different upper and lowers all the time in building AR's. you need more than just a wrench and action block to install a barrel, you need headspace gauges to be able to set the headspace. not having the proper headspace is a good way to end up with a handfull of useless parts and possibly hurt or killed in the process. the best way if not familiar with installing a barrel is to buy a complete upper.

if the uppers and lowers are mil-spec manufactured, they will work together regardless of maker. many people use different upper and lowers all the time in building AR's. you need more than just a wrench and action block to install a barrel, you need headspace gauges to be able to set the headspace. not having the proper headspace is a good way to end up with a handfull of useless parts and possibly hurt or killed in the process. the best way if not familiar with installing a barrel is to buy a complete upper.

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He says he wants the colors to match. That's why I said to get them from the same maker. Different makers colors are not the same.

He says he wants the colors to match. That's why I said to get them from the same maker. Different makers colors are not the same.

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well for what it's worth, if matching the colors, then yes buy an upper and lower from the same maker. but like i said mil-spec means you can mix and match uppers and lowers from different makers. but to put together an upper, you still need to check and set the headspace and this takes headspace gauges and know how on using them. this is not for the first time gun builder.